Whenever someone invites me to go for a hike I smile internally. Hiking is one of my favourite outdoor activities, so I don't hesitate and accept right away. Last summer during my time in southern Germany I had the chance to hike to Andechs, an abbey which sits on top of a hill near the town Herrsching am Ammersee.
Let's start by stating this is not just an abbey, it's also a pilgrimage site. But above all that, you must know that the monks who live in Andechs run the biggest monastery brewery in Germany. Klosterbrauerei Andechs' seven beers are brewed according to monastic tradition and recipes in keeping with Bavarian purity laws, which date back to 1516. I only have one thought about this subject: when it comes to beer, monks know best. This and the idyllic landscape make it worthy of a visit if you're in the area.
First and foremost, an amateur hiker (like me) must remember to eat a hearty breakfast and pack some snacks and water. The hike is not so challenging and the views of Lake Ammer and the towns around it are magnificent. I couldn't help to think about scenes of Robert Wise's "The Sound of Music" as we climbed the hill and finally walked through green meadows with views of the Bavarian Alps in the background.
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| Wonderful views during the hike. |
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| Happy hiker. |
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| The town of Andechs and the Bavarian Alps in the background. |
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| Such a nice summer day! |
Probably one of the most flamboyant Baroque churches I've ever visited, Andechs Abbey was built in 1712 and hosts relics brought to Germany from the Holy Land and Rome in 955. With the sight of the Abbey, the hiker can relax and feel excited about the nice meal he or she will be enjoying shortly.
Andechs is also known for the butcher's shop and canteen where you can eat Bavarian delicacies and see how life's like for monks. This place is jam-packed during the entire summer so be prepared to stand in a queue long before you can have your gigantic
Brezn (Pretzel) with
Obazda (Bavarian cheese), which was what I ate and can't even describe how good it was.
The hiker can now make a pause and admire the surrounding landscape with a
Klosterbrauerei Andechs beer or/and ice cream. This is the perfect moment to take the view in and let your eyes glide from one snowy peak to the next with the sound of the crowd filling the entire monastery premises.
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| Andechs Abbey. |
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| Details. |
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| Landscapes in Bavaria. |
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| View from the Abbey, so idyllic. |
The descent is really easy and on the way the hiker will catch a glimpse of rural life in southern Germany.
As the hiker leaves the Holy mountain behind, he or she can't help to feel to have taken this beautiful energy with him or her and to have had a moment of pure joy for the body and soul.
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| Like in Johana Spyri's Heidi. |
About the Author
Traveller and writer, 21-years-old. Born in Panama City, German-Panamanian. Journalist. Very fond of every expression of art. I love to learn languages. Constantly living adventures!
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